IST-Africa FP 7 and Living Labs Training Workshops, Mauritius

The National Computer Board in cooperation with IIMC Ireland organised 2 Training Workshops on the Framework Programme 7 and Living Labs on 15 and 16 November 2012. Hon. Tassarajen Pillay Chedumbrum, Minister of Information and Communication Technology officially opened the workshop on 15th November 2012.

The objectives of the workshops were to create awareness on the Framework Programme FP7 and train the Mauritian ICT researchers in preparing ICT research proposals, stimulates the establishment of sustainable Living Labs that will support socio-economic impact by creating a collaborative, co-creation culture and environment in Mauritius.

The Framework Programme 7 workshop focused on FP7 and its instruments, the Open Action Lines under FP7-ICT-Call 10 - 11 and how to prepare research proposals.

The IST-Africa Living Labs training workshop was participatory in nature and elaborated on the Overview of Existing and Emerging Living Labs in Africa and Recommendations from Report on "Supporting the Evolution of Sustainable Living Labs and Living Labs Networks in Africa" as well as emerging issues on Living Labs in Mauritius.

Participants worked in small groups to identify Stakeholder Roles in Living Labs - Motivations, Contributions and Expectations. Each group presented back their findings, which stimulated further dialogue.

Each group then explored Living Labs from different perspectives - what do they know about Living Labs, what do they feel the benefit could be, what are the perceived risks, how can they be used creatively and what is the big picture for Mauritius. An interesting mix of ideas were presented back to the whole group.

As the final group activity, the groups identified the ideas that could be supported through Living labs as part of an action plan going forward.

Over 50 participants from government, industry and universities attended each Training workshop.

For more information, visit the NCB Website